Chemical City Derby Girls

By Katy Kildee

on March 1, 2019 1:49 PM

Dawn Sweebe of Sanford, left, laughs with Katie Davis of Bay City, right, after Sweebe hip-checked Davis during a practice for their roller derby team, the Chemical City Derby Girls, on Monday, Feb. 25, 2019 at the Roll-Arena in Midland. (Katy Kildee/kkildee@mdn.net)

Dawn Sweebe of Sanford, left, laughs with Katie Davis of Bay City, right, after Sweebe hip-checked Davis during a practice for their roller derby team, the Chemical City Derby Girls, on Monday, Feb. 25, 2019 at

Marnie Morgan-Rich of Midland, right, practices hip-checking during a practice for her roller derby team, the Chemical City Derby Girls, on Monday, Feb. 25, 2019 at the Roll-Arena in Midland. (Katy Kildee/kkildee@mdn.net)

Aja Philpot of Midland, center, holds a plank position for a conditioning drill during a practice for her roller derby team, the Chemical City Derby Girls, on Monday, Feb. 25, 2019 at the Roll-Arena in Midland. (Katy Kildee/kkildee@mdn.net)

Aja Philpot of Midland, center, holds a plank position for a conditioning drill during a practice for her roller derby team, the Chemical City Derby Girls, on Monday, Feb. 25, 2019 at the Roll-Arena in Midland.

Aja Philpot of Midland, center, holds a plank position for a...photo-17006347.190476 - |ucfirst

Aja Philpot of Midland, right, practices hip-checking during a practice for her roller derby team, the Chemical City Derby Girls, on Monday, Feb. 25, 2019 at the Roll-Arena in Midland. (Katy Kildee/kkildee@mdn.net)

Abby Baranski of Bay City, right, practices hip-checking during a practice for her roller derby team, the Chemical City Derby Girls, on Monday, Feb. 25, 2019 at the Roll-Arena in Midland. (Katy Kildee/kkildee@mdn.net)

Chris Firlik, or "Velociroller," skates down the track during the Chemical City Derby Girls' annual Mardi Gras Massacre on Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019 at the Roll-Arena in Midland. (Katy Kildee/kkildee@mdn.net)

Chris Firlik, or "Velociroller," skates down the track during the Chemical City Derby Girls' annual Mardi Gras Massacre on Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019 at the Roll-Arena in Midland. (Katy Kildee/kkildee@mdn.net)

Chris Firlik, or "Velociroller," skates down the track...photo-17006343.190476 - |ucfirst

Chris Firlik, or "Velociroller," skates down the track during the Chemical City Derby Girls' annual Mardi Gras Massacre on Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019 at the Roll-Arena in Midland. (Katy Kildee/kkildee@mdn.net)

Chris Firlik, or "Velociroller," skates down the track during the Chemical City Derby Girls' annual Mardi Gras Massacre on Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019 at the Roll-Arena in Midland. (Katy Kildee/kkildee@mdn.net)

Chris Firlik, or "Velociroller," skates down the track...photo-17006344.190476 - |ucfirst

Katie Davis of Bay City, right, practices hip-checking during a practice for her roller derby team, the Chemical City Derby Girls, on Monday, Feb. 25, 2019 at the Roll-Arena in Midland. (Katy Kildee/kkildee@mdn.net)

Derby girls from cities all over Michigan compete during the Chemical City Derby Girls' annual Mardi Gras Massacre on Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019 at the Roll-Arena in Midland. (Katy Kildee/kkildee@mdn.net)

Derby girls from cities all over Michigan compete during the Chemical City Derby Girls' annual Mardi Gras Massacre on Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019 at the Roll-Arena in Midland. (Katy Kildee/kkildee@mdn.net)

Derby girls from cities all over Michigan compete during the...photo-17006340.190476 - |ucfirst

Carrie Maxson, or "Sugar Smax," skates down the track during the Chemical City Derby Girls' annual Mardi Gras Massacre on Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019 at the Roll-Arena in Midland. (Katy Kildee/kkildee@mdn.net)

Carrie Maxson, or "Sugar Smax," skates down the track during the Chemical City Derby Girls' annual Mardi Gras Massacre on Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019 at the Roll-Arena in Midland. (Katy Kildee/kkildee@mdn.net)

Mari Yezak of Midland, 8, watches from the sideline during the Chemical City Derby Girls' annual Mardi Gras Massacre on Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019 at the Roll-Arena in Midland. (Katy Kildee/kkildee@mdn.net)

Mari Yezak of Midland, 8, watches from the sideline during the Chemical City Derby Girls' annual Mardi Gras Massacre on Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019 at the Roll-Arena in Midland. (Katy Kildee/kkildee@mdn.net)

Jordan Davis, or "SGT Psycho," skates down the track during the Chemical City Derby Girls' annual Mardi Gras Massacre on Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019 at the Roll-Arena in Midland. (Katy Kildee/kkildee@mdn.net)

Jordan Davis, or "SGT Psycho," skates down the track during the Chemical City Derby Girls' annual Mardi Gras Massacre on Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019 at the Roll-Arena in Midland. (Katy Kildee/kkildee@mdn.net)

Players line up as they're introduced before the Chemical...photo-17006335.190476 - |ucfirst

Jessica Bateman, or "Crazy," skates down the track during the Chemical City Derby Girls' annual Mardi Gras Massacre on Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019 at the Roll-Arena in Midland. (Katy Kildee/kkildee@mdn.net)

Jessica Bateman, or "Crazy," skates down the track during the Chemical City Derby Girls' annual Mardi Gras Massacre on Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019 at the Roll-Arena in Midland. (Katy Kildee/kkildee@mdn.net)

Jessica Bateman, or "Crazy," skates down the track...photo-17006310.190476 - |ucfirst

Jessica Bateman, or "Crazy," skates down the track during the Chemical City Derby Girls' annual Mardi Gras Massacre on Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019 at the Roll-Arena in Midland. (Katy Kildee/kkildee@mdn.net)

Jessica Bateman, or "Crazy," skates down the track during the Chemical City Derby Girls' annual Mardi Gras Massacre on Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019 at the Roll-Arena in Midland. (Katy Kildee/kkildee@mdn.net)

Jordan Davis, or "SGT Psycho," skates down the track during the Chemical City Derby Girls' annual Mardi Gras Massacre on Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019 at the Roll-Arena in Midland. (Katy Kildee/kkildee@mdn.net)

Jordan Davis, or "SGT Psycho," skates down the track during the Chemical City Derby Girls' annual Mardi Gras Massacre on Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019 at the Roll-Arena in Midland. (Katy Kildee/kkildee@mdn.net)

Kelly Korinek, or "Kristy Yamahoochie," skates down the track during the Chemical City Derby Girls' annual Mardi Gras Massacre on Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019 at the Roll-Arena in Midland. (Katy Kildee/kkildee@mdn.net)

Players cheer from the sideline during the Chemical City Derby...photo-17006305.190476 - |ucfirst

Jordan Davis, or "SGT Psycho," center, tries to break through a group of players during the Chemical City Derby Girls' annual Mardi Gras Massacre on Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019 at the Roll-Arena in Midland. (Katy Kildee/kkildee@mdn.net)

Jordan Davis, or "SGT Psycho," center, tries to break through a group of players during the Chemical City Derby Girls' annual Mardi Gras Massacre on Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019 at the Roll-Arena in Midland. (Katy

Brianna Brownell, or "Sleigher Moon" tries to break through a pack of players during the Chemical City Derby Girls' annual Mardi Gras Massacre on Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019 at the Roll-Arena in Midland. (Katy Kildee/kkildee@mdn.net)

Brianna Brownell, or "Sleigher Moon" tries to break through a pack of players during the Chemical City Derby Girls' annual Mardi Gras Massacre on Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019 at the Roll-Arena in Midland. (Katy

Brianna Brownell, or "Sleigher Moon" skates down the track during the Chemical City Derby Girls' annual Mardi Gras Massacre on Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019 at the Roll-Arena in Midland. (Katy Kildee/kkildee@mdn.net)

Brianna Brownell, or "Sleigher Moon" skates down the track during the Chemical City Derby Girls' annual Mardi Gras Massacre on Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019 at the Roll-Arena in Midland. (Katy Kildee/kkildee@mdn.net)

Aja Philpot of Midland, left, hip-checks Rachel Baker of Midland, right, during a practice for their roller derby team, the Chemical City Derby Girls, on Monday, Feb. 25, 2019 at the Roll-Arena in Midland. (Katy Kildee/kkildee@mdn.net)

Aja Philpot of Midland, left, hip-checks Rachel Baker of Midland, right, during a practice for their roller derby team, the Chemical City Derby Girls, on Monday, Feb. 25, 2019 at the Roll-Arena in Midland.

Jessica Bateman, or "Crazy," left, and Brenna Digison, or "Big Red," right, skate down the track during the Chemical City Derby Girls' annual Mardi Gras Massacre on Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019 at the Roll-Arena in

Marnie Morgan-Rich of Midland, center, holds a plank position for a conditioning drill during a practice for her roller derby team, the Chemical City Derby Girls, on Monday, Feb. 25, 2019 at the Roll-Arena in Midland. (Katy Kildee/kkildee@mdn.net)

Marnie Morgan-Rich of Midland, center, holds a plank position for a conditioning drill during a practice for her roller derby team, the Chemical City Derby Girls, on Monday, Feb. 25, 2019 at the Roll-Arena in

Brenna Nichols of Bentley, 7, watches from the sideline during the Chemical City Derby Girls' annual Mardi Gras Massacre on Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019 at the Roll-Arena in Midland. (Katy Kildee/kkildee@mdn.net)

Brenna Nichols of Bentley, 7, watches from the sideline during the Chemical City Derby Girls' annual Mardi Gras Massacre on Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019 at the Roll-Arena in Midland. (Katy Kildee/kkildee@mdn.net)

Brenna Nichols of Bentley, 7, watches from the sideline during the...photo-17006294.190476 - |ucfirst

Rachel Baker of Midland, right, practices hip-checking during a practice for her roller derby team, the Chemical City Derby Girls, on Monday, Feb. 25, 2019 at the Roll-Arena in Midland. (Katy Kildee/kkildee@mdn.net)

Chris Firlik, or "Velociroller," right, and Julie Farner, or "SheRawr, Princess of Plowher," left, skate down the track during the Chemical City Derby Girls' annual Mardi Gras Massacre on Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019 at the Roll-Arena in Midland. (Katy Kildee/kkildee@mdn.net)

Players cheer from the sideline during the Chemical City Derby...photo-17006291.190476 - |ucfirst

Kelly Korinek, or "Kristy Yamahoochie," skates down the track during the Chemical City Derby Girls' annual Mardi Gras Massacre on Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019 at the Roll-Arena in Midland. (Katy Kildee/kkildee@mdn.net)

Dawn Sweebe of Sanford, left, laughs with Katie Davis of Bay City, right, after Sweebe hip-checked Davis during a practice for their roller derby team, the Chemical City Derby Girls, on Monday, Feb. 25, 2019 at the Roll-Arena in Midland. (Katy Kildee/kkildee@mdn.net)

Dawn Sweebe of Sanford, left, laughs with Katie Davis of Bay City, right, after Sweebe hip-checked Davis during a practice for their roller derby team, the Chemical City Derby Girls, on Monday, Feb. 25, 2019 at